PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 09 /CSRwire/ - AIG has partnered with CBS EcoMedia Inc. through its EducationAd advertising program to fund the addition of much-needed new uniforms and athletic equipment for the KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy’s football, basketball, track & field, and soccer teams.

To celebrate the partnership, executives from AIG, and representatives from USA Rugby, Rugby Pennsylvania, and KIPP Philadelphia gathered in the cafeteria at the KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy for an inspirational lecture to KIPP students followed by a pep rally and youth rugby clinic.

Gloria Watson, President of the AIG Property Casualty Mid-Atlantic Region and a native Philadelphian, kicked off the event by sharing her personal story and inspiring KIPP students with a KIPP Last Lecture. The Last Lecture Series at KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy is intended to impart wisdom and knowledge each speaker has gained throughout their life and career, conveying the importance of education to the students.

A celebratory pep rally followed the Last Lecture with a performance by the high school’s cheerleaders and band. Hosts included: Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia; Gloria Watson, President, Mid-Atlantic Region of AIG Property Casualty; Aaron Bass, Principal, KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy; and representatives from USA Rugby and Rugby Pennsylvania.

USA Rugby and Rugby Pennsylvania coaches and players from Temple University then led a rugby clinic with members of the KIPP Philadelphia football team. Students learned the fundamentals of Rugby and participated in fun, instructional drills while learning the importance of teamwork.

Rugby exemplifies the unity and passion the AIG brand stands for, and as an official Sponsor of USA Rugby, AIG is proud to introduce the sport to KIPP Philadelphia students who may not have otherwise been exposed to one the world’s fastest growing and most popular sports.

“AIG is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we work, live, and serve our customers,” said Daniel Glantz, AIG’s Global Head of Sponsorship. “We look forward to partnering with KIPP and helping enable its students to have a well-rounded education which includes extracurricular athletics. Our shared emphasis on teamwork is fostered by sport, and we are excited to help support KIPP in the development of its athletic programs, including rugby.”

KIPP, or Knowledge is Power Program, is a national network of 141 high-achieving public charter schools helping low-income students across the United States make it to and through college. KIPP Philadelphia Schools (KPS) currently enrolls1,500 students in Philadelphia and over 80 percent of students at KPS leave 8th grade proficient or advanced in math and 76 percent leave proficient or advanced in reading.

“We are incredibly excited to be involved in this collaboration with AIG, CBS Ecomedia, and USA Rugby,” said Aaron Bass, KIPP DuBois School Leader. “It’s great when businesses come together in support of the community. We believe athletics are an integral part in the scholastic experience, offering invaluable leadership and teamwork opportunities. We’re truly grateful for the financial support AIG is providing to these programs.”

“It’s an honor to be here today to celebrate AIG’s commitment to positively impacting the lives of so many KIPP Philadelphia students,” said Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder, CBS EcoMedia Inc. “The new uniforms and equipment will encourage more students to stay active and involved in extracurricular activities, while promoting teamwork and wellness. This partnership is a fine example of the tangible, meaningful quality of life improvements that can happen when we all work together.”

About AIGAmerican International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. All products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. Products or services may not be available in all countries, and coverage is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds, and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.

About KIPPKIPP – the Knowledge Is Power Program – is a national network of open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. KIPP was founded in Houston in 1994 and has grown to 141 schools serving more than 50,000 students in 20 states and Washington, D.C. More than 95 percent of students enrolled in KIPP schools are African American or Latino, and 86 percent qualify for the federal free and reduced-price meals program.

Locally, the mission of KIPP Philadelphia schools is to develop the character, knowledge, and skills of our students so that they will succeed in college, giving them the freedom to shape their futures and positively affect their communities.

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.AtEcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2010, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomediacbs.com, like us at facebook.com/EcoMediaCBS or follow us at Twitter.com/EcoMediaCBS.

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.